Olympics: Women’s slalom delayed because of high winds

Stewards adjust a net as winds blow after the Alpine Skiing Women’s Slalom was cancelled due to weather conditions at the Jeongseon Alpine Center during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang on February 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI

The women’s Olympic slalom was delayed Wednesday because of strong winds, organisers announced.

“Due to very strong wind gusts, the programme is delayed,” the International Ski Federation said.

Initially slated for a 10:15 am (0115 GMT) start, FIS said the first run of the slalom was now scheduled to start at 1145 am at the earliest.

Skiers on the technical events on the Rainbow course at the Yongpyong resort are reliant on a 3.7km-long gondola to go up the mountain.

In very windy conditions, the gondola closes down. Gusts also make the course unsafe for both skiers and the raft of officials needed to look over it.